Jalandhar is one of the oldest cities in the Indian state of Punjab. The city is believed to be named after Jalandhara, a mythological king mentioned in the Puranas and the Mahabharata. Today, it is an important commercial and industrial hub in the Doaba region of Punjab.
With a population close to one million, Jalandhar is the third most populous city in Punjab after Ludhiana and Amritsar.
As per Census 2011, the population of Jalandhar city was 862,886 (8.62 lakh). Based on historical growth trends, the estimated population of Jalandhar in 2026 is around 12 lakh.
👉 Projected Population of Jalandhar (2026): ~12 lakh
Jalandhar City Population Data (Census 2011)
| Jalandhar City | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 862,886 (8.62 lakh) |
| Male Population | 457,636 |
| Female Population | 405,250 |
| Population Density | 8,507 per sq. km |
| City Area | ~101 sq. km |
Key Takeaways
Average Literacy Rate: 86.22%
Male Literacy: 88.82%
Female Literacy: 83.30%
Total Literates: 666,926
Sex Ratio: 886 females per 1000 males
Child Sex Ratio: 865
Children (0–6 years): 89,383 (10.36% of total population)
The city has a relatively high literacy rate compared to the national average. However, the sex ratio remains below India’s average of 940 (Census 2011).
Jalandhar Historical Population
Jalandhar has experienced steady population growth over the past century, especially after independence and during industrial expansion in the late 20th century.
Between 2001 and 2011, the city recorded a growth rate of 21.52%. Growth has moderated in recent years.
Let’s look at population & percentage change from 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 67,735 | – | – |
| 1911 | 69,318 | 1,583 | 2.34% |
| 1921 | 71,008 | 1,690 | 2.44% |
| 1931 | 89,030 | 18,022 | 25.38% |
| 1941 | 135,283 | 46,253 | 51.95% |
| 1951 | 168,816 | 33,533 | 24.79% |
| 1961 | 222,569 | 53,753 | 31.84% |
| 1971 | 296,106 | 73,537 | 33.04% |
| 1981 | 408,196 | 112,090 | 37.85% |
| 1991 | 509,510 | 101,314 | 24.82% |
| 2001 | 710,078 | 200,568 | 39.36% |
| 2011 | 862,886 | 152,808 | 21.52% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 980,000 | 117,114 | 13.57% |
Sources: Census 2011
Jalandhar District Population
Jalandhar district is a district in the Doaba region of the state of Punjab, India. As per the census 2011, the population in 2011 was 2,193,590 (21.93 Lakhs)
Estimated population of the Jalandhar District in 2026 ~ 27 lakh.
| Indicators | Census 2011 |
| Total Population | 2,193,590 |
| Male Population | 1,145,211 |
| Female Population | 1,048,379 |
| Average Literacy (%) | 82.48% |
| Sex Ratio | 915 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 874 |
Religion in Jalandhar District
Hinduism is the majority religion in Jalandhar district. In rural areas, Hindus and Sikhs are present in comparable proportions, while urban areas have a Hindu majority.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Hinduism | 63.56% |
| Sikhism | 32.75% |
| Islam | 1.38% |
| Christianity | 1.19% |
| Buddhism | 0.52% |
| Others / Not Stated | 0.22% |
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